Running your fruits and vegetables under the tap is not enough to rid them of the potentially harmful chemicals they are exposed to during cultivation because they have been sprayed with pesticides. “The most commonly used products on fruits and vegetables are herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and bactericides,” explains the nutritionist. Jessica Shandwhich “detoxified” her routine part of her weekly shopping trip. While removing the skins from your fruits and vegetables (where possible) can help, Shand points out that doing so leaves you without “gut dietary fiber and a range of nutrients.” So this is what she does instead:
Do you still have to wash organic fruits and vegetables?
In short, yes. “Exposure to toxins is less of an issue with organic fruits and vegetables, but produce is still processed and exposed to other potential contaminants, so it’s best to wash everything before eating it,” says Shand. Also, don’t be fooled by “washed and ready to eat” labels. “This also includes bagged salads. The salad can be washed by manufacturers with a variety of toxic chemicals, including chlorine and bleach, so washing off these chemical residues is essential and can be done quickly.”
Jessica Shand’s detox method
1. Place all products in a (clean) sink filled with fresh water (filtered water is even better). Pour one part apple cider vinegar to three parts water, or just a BIG splash. Apple cider vinegar is rich in antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making it an ideal natural food source for detoxing your produce. You can also use baking soda by adding a teaspoon to two cups of water.
2. Gently brush each piece with a vegetable brush and soak for 15 minutes. Finally, rinse. If you’re washing something more delicate, like berries, place them in a colander and leave them in the water for up to five minutes. If you do it any longer, they will become mushy.
3. Remove everything from the sink and dry it carefully with a tea towel. Place the berries on a clean tea towel and gently pat dry to remove excess moisture and allow to air dry (I usually leave them outside for an hour).
4. Place in glass containers (not plastic) and place in the refrigerator.